The country is poised to break the Guinness World Record for the largest human lung formation in the Quirino Grandstand. Courtesy: Department of Health

MANILA (UPDATED) – The Philippines on Saturday set the Guinness World Record for the biggest human lung formation, beating the previous mark set by India.

For the lung formation earlier today, the Philippines had 5,596 participants, beating India's 5,007. India's record was in 2017. 

The feat came on the commemoration of World Tuberculosis (TB) Day this year at the Quirino Grandstand.

Chong Wai Yip, an adjudicator at the Guinness World Records, said in order to set a new record, they considered the number of participants, the form of the human lung, and there should be no gap during the official recording.

Guinness gave three attempts. The Philippines was successful in setting the new record after its second attempt.

One of the participants, Oswald Macapagal, said he was excited to join the event. He was at the Quirino Grandstand before 5 a.m. to participate in the activity. 

READ: DOH reports increase in TB cases in 2023

"Gumising kami ng umaga kasi excited kami pumunta… dahil malaki ang maibabahagi namin especially hindi lang sa Pilipinas kundi sa whole world. Ang TB ay kailangan natin labanan para na rin sa health natin," said Macapagal. 

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said he was happy his agency and the Philippines made it. He also reminded Filipinos the importance of getting checked for tuberculosis, as this was the advocacy of their event. 

The Philippines has set a new Guinness World Record on the biggest human lung formation, March 16, 2024. Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News

"Pinakita ng mga kababayan nating Pilipino na kapag tayo ay may gustuhin – mag-break ng Guinness World Record… the idea is World TB Day, kailangan malaman ng tao na  mayroon pa ring sakit na TB. Walang stigma diyan. Nagagamot ang TB," said the health chief. 

"Ang ginagawa natin ay hindi  lang sa Pilipinas, para sa buong mundo. Ang TB ay hindi lang problema sa Pilipinas, problema ito sa buong mundo," he added. 

TB cases in the Philippines surged in 2023, Herbosa earlier said. 

A total of 612,000 TB cases were reported in 2023. This is equivalent to approximately 549 cases per 100,000 population, marking an increase from 439 cases per 100,000 in 2022.

He stressed the importance of seeking prompt X-ray and molecular confirmation for individuals with symptoms, emphasizing the critical need for timely medication.

READ: Primary health goals of PH 'achievable' - USAID official

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